Who invented dabbing? It’s a question that sparks debates in hip-hop, sports, and pop culture. The dab isn’t just a dance move; it’s a global symbol of celebration and coolness.

But tracing its origin leads to confusion, with fans crediting different artists and moments for starting the trend.

The dab emerged from Atlanta's hip-hop scene before taking over mainstream media in 2015. Many point to rap groups like Migos or artists such as OG Maco as its creators. Others argue athletes helped push it into the spotlight through viral celebrations on the field.

This blog explores every theory, key contributors, and how dabbing became iconic worldwide. Keep reading to uncover its fascinating journey!

Early Mentions of the Dab

The dab emerged as a subtle gesture within Atlanta's hip-hop scene, hinting at cultural innovation. Its roots intertwined with rap culture, sparking debates about its true origin.

Atlanta’s Influence on the Dab

Atlanta hip-hop shaped the dabbing trend and made it a cultural force. The move emerged from the city’s vibrant music scene, with artists using it to express swagger and confidence.

Known for setting dance trends, Atlanta became the birthplace of this iconic celebratory move that would later transcend its origins.

Professional football players brought dabbing into mainstream culture in August 2015. Its roots stayed tied to Atlanta, as rappers like Migos popularized it in both performances and videos.

This influence laid the groundwork for its leap into sports culture and rap spaces alike.

Initial Appearances in Rap Culture

Future, Rich the Kid, and Metro Boomin brought the dab into mainstream rap culture. Their use of this dance move in performances and music videos helped solidify its presence within hip-hop.

The gesture first surfaced in 2013 but did not gain widespread attention until 2015.

Rap artists used the dab to amplify their stage energy and connect with fans. Music video releases during this time showcased the move repeatedly as a symbol of urban culture's growing trends.

This association cemented dabbing’s influence within both the music industry and broader dance craze movements.

Key Contributors to the Dab’s Popularity

Artists played a major role in turning the dab into a cultural sensation. Their influence quickly pushed the dance move beyond Atlanta’s hip-hop scene and into mainstream media.

The Role of Migos and Skippa Da Flippa

Migos and Skippa Da Flippa played a huge part in making the dab famous. Migos, especially known for their trendsetting in hip-hop culture, showcased the dance move in their music and public appearances.

Skippa Da Flippa is often credited as an early figure who helped popularize it within the Atlanta rap scene. Their influence spread quickly through urban dance communities and viral sensations on social media.

The creative expression seen in these artists' choreography added to the appeal of the dab. Songs like those from Migos’ catalog created perfect beats to match this head-dropping gesture.

Future collaborations with influential names like Rich The Kid ensured that this move became more than just another fad.

We were all doing dabbing before they even knew what it was, said Offset of Migos during an interview about their role as cultural influencers.

OG Maco and Rich The Kid's Claims

OG Maco and Rich The Kid sparked debates over dabbing’s true originator. Both rappers claimed major roles in creating or popularizing the iconic move, further intensifying discussions surrounding its roots.

Their involvement added to growing controversies, as other artists like Future and Metro Boomin integrated the dab into performances during the dance craze's peak years.

The claims by OG Maco suggested that he played a pivotal role in shaping the dance’s rise within hip-hop culture. Meanwhile, Rich The Kid asserted himself as one of its innovators through his influence on younger audiences and collaborations with key pioneers in Atlanta rap circles.

These disputes highlighted how multiple creators shaped dabbing into a global trend.

The Dab in Sports

Athletes embraced the dab to celebrate victories and pump up crowds. This simple gesture quickly became a global sports phenomenon, appearing in major games and events.

Jeremy Hill’s NFL Dab Introduction

Jeremy Hill brought the dab to football fans on September 13, 2015. The running back celebrated his touchdown against the Oakland Raiders with a quick, smooth dab in the end zone. His gesture came just weeks after the dance move gained traction in August 2015, marking one of its first major appearances in professional sports.

That single celebration turned heads across pop culture and sporting events alike. Fans quickly associated dabbing with trendy touchdown celebrations, solidifying its role as a fresh trend in football.

Hill’s move helped connect NFL athletes with a gesture that was already making waves beyond rap culture.

Cam Newton’s Iconic Dabbing Moments

Cam Newton brought the dab to mainstream sports during the 2015 NFL season. The Carolina Panthers quarterback celebrated touchdowns with energetic dabs, turning simple dance moves into unforgettable moments.

His standout performance against the Tennessee Titans in November that year solidified the trend's popularity among fans and players.

Newton’s celebrations sparked debates but kept growing as a cultural phenomenon. Crowds eagerly anticipated his signature move after scoring plays, making it synonymous with victory and confidence in football.

This cemented the dab's place not just in sports but also in global pop culture.

Paul Pogba and the Dab in Soccer

Paul Pogba brought the dab to European football leagues in January 2016. The French soccer star celebrated goals with this dance move, making it a global sensation. His performances on and off the field cemented the dab as a cultural phenomenon in sports celebrations.

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Fans imitated Pogba's iconic gesture, spreading it further across football and other sports. His influence played a key role in taking the dab from rap culture to international soccer stages.

This crossover showed how deeply pop culture had started shaping sporting traditions.

Cultural Debates Around the Dab’s Origin

Some argue the Dab existed long before its hip-hop fame, with roots in earlier cultural gestures. Others claim that the move evolved organically within pop culture and sports over time.

Dee Brown’s Alleged 1991 Dab Moment

Dee Brown, an NBA player, sparked discussions about the dab's origin with a move during the 1991 Slam Dunk Contest. After an impressive dunk, he leaned forward and covered his eyes with one arm in a gesture some now compare to dabbing.

His celebratory motion wasn’t called the “dab” at the time but became part of debates on its cultural significance. Though hip-hop culture popularized dabbing decades later, Brown’s pose remains a controversial claim in tracing the dance move’s evolution.

Martin Lawrence’s Possible Connection to the Dab

Martin Lawrence’s iconic moves on *Martin* sparked debates around the Dab’s origin. In a 1990s episode, Martin performed a gesture resembling the dance. Fans argued this moment influenced hip-hop and pop culture years before its rise in Atlanta rap scenes.

The controversy highlights how trends can evolve from earlier cultural moments. Though no solid evidence links Martin to creating the Dab, his influence on music and comedy remains undeniable.

Cultural trends like this often bridge generations, making their origins layered and complex.

The Dab's popularity also owes much to sports figures who embraced it on global stages.

The Dab’s Rise to Viral Fame

The dance exploded in popularity through countless online videos and memes. Celebrities embraced the move, turning it into a global sensation almost overnight.

Social Media’s Role in Spreading the Dance

Social media platforms played a huge role in turning the dab into an internet sensation. Vines and memes featuring the dance spread quickly, reaching millions of users almost overnight.

The move gained traction as people imitated it, creating their own videos and sharing them widely online. This digital fame catapulted the dance into mainstream pop culture.

The dab became a viral phenomenon by August 2015 when professional football players started using it in celebrations. Social media amplified these moments, showcasing clips of athletes like Cam Newton performing the move to worldwide audiences.

Memes further fueled its popularity, cementing its status as a trending movement across platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

Celebrity Endorsements and Performances

Public figures embracing the dab helped solidify its viral fame. Jay-Z brought attention to the dance in October 2015 during a Tidal concert, showcasing its appeal on a major stage.

Rihanna also made headlines dabbing at the 2016 VMAs after Drake publicly expressed his admiration for her.

Famous personalities continued incorporating the dab into their performances, further fueling its popularity. Fans saw celebrities like these use it as an engaging way to connect with audiences, propelling the move beyond music and sports into mainstream culture.

Celebrity endorsements sparked wider interest and kept this trend alive longer than typical fads.

The Legacy and Decline of the Dab

The dab quickly became a symbol of pop culture, dominating music videos, sports highlights, and social media platforms. Over time, its overwhelming presence led to oversaturation, causing the trend to fade from mainstream popularity.

The Dab’s Peak Popularity Period

In 2015, the dab became a viral phenomenon, spreading across pop culture and sports. Hip hop group Migos helped push the dance move into mainstream recognition through their music and performances.

That December, rapper 2 Chainz capitalized on its popularity by releasing “Dabbin Santa” sweaters. These sweaters were a massive hit, generating nearly $2 million in sales by the end of the year.

Social media played a huge role in turning the trend into a global craze. Athletes like Cam Newton and celebrities amplified its cultural impact with high-profile performances. It embodied hip hop culture while also becoming a symbol of humor and celebration in sports arenas worldwide at its peak.

Transition from Dance Craze to Nostalgia

The dab peaked in popularity between 2015 and 2016. Social media platforms, vines, and internet memes pushed the dance trend into the mainstream. Athletes like Cam Newton brought it to millions through iconic celebrations.

By January 2016, even European soccer leagues embraced the move with players like Paul Pogba performing it on the field.

What started as a viral sensation eventually shifted into nostalgia. Cultural overuse led to its decline as new trends emerged online. The dab transitioned from being fresh and influential to a reminder of past fads once dominating popular culture.

This shift connects back to debates around its origins that remain significant today in sports and music discussions.

Conclusion

Dabbing started as a simple dance move but created a lasting cultural impact. It blended hip-hop, sports, and internet culture into an unforgettable trend. While debates about its true origin remain, its influence is undeniable.

From Atlanta’s rap scene to global recognition, dabbing became more than just a gesture—it became history in motion.

FAQs

1. What is dabbing, and why is it significant?

Dabbing is a popular dance move where a person drops their head into the crook of their bent arm while extending the other arm outward. It became an iconic symbol in music, sports, and pop culture.

2. Who invented dabbing?

The origins of dabbing are debated. Many credit Atlanta hip-hop artists like Migos or Skippa Da Flippa for popularizing it around 2015 within the rap scene.

3. How did dabbing become so famous?

Dabbing gained fame through viral moments in music videos, social media trends, and athletes performing the move during games or celebrations.

4. Why do people connect dabbing with hip-hop culture?

Hip-hop artists introduced dabbing as part of their performances and lifestyle, making it a trend that spread quickly from music to mainstream entertainment worldwide.